MEMPHIS, TN --- The Francis Marion University men’s and women’s cross country squads finished 17th and 18th respectively at the 2006 NCAA Division II South Region Cross Country Championships, held Saturday (Nov. 4).

Harding University won both the men’s and women’s team titles. In the men’s race, FMU was one of three Peach Belt Conference schools to participate, while there were five PBC squads in the women’s race.

Senior Patrick Hopewell paced the Francis Marion men with a 66th-place showing, completing the 10,000-meter course in 35:30. Sophomore Steven Holmes was 89th (36:27), while sophomore Dan Brann was 96th (37:01), freshman John Corley was 97th (37:09), freshman Jacob Williams was 114th (38:42), and junior Ariel Ortiz was 119th (40:07).

For the Patriot women, sophomore Kelly May led the way with a 34th-place showing as she toured the 6,000-meter course in 24:25. Junior Codi Knoch finished 51st (25:00), while senior Megan Coy was 124th (27:35), freshman Amanda Doyle was 132nd (28:36), freshman Kim Richardson was 136th (29:00), and freshman Holly Todd was 138th (29:07).